State rep not seeking reelection

With a host of new candidates seeking office on Election Day 2022, longtime Southeast Texas State Representative Joe Deshotel has announced he will not file to keep the District 22 post he has manned for more than two decades. In an open letter to “My Dear Friends” on Nov. 16, Deshotel thanked loyal supporters and pointed to a new fianceé and grandchild on the way as to where he’d rather focus his energy at this point in his life.

“So, after over half of my life in some sort of public service, I need some time to myself with those that I love,” Deshotel expressed. “It is time to get out of the way and allow the younger generation with their energy and fire to have this honor and responsibility.”